Ski boot for grinding, system and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A solution for newschool skiing so as to more readily be able to “grind” is provided. A ski boot may include an outer shell that has an upper portion and a lower portion; a liner, configured to fit within the outer shell; a closure system, that is attached to either, or both of, the upper portion and the lower portion, configured to suitably close the ski boot around a foot; and at least one extended portion (e.g., “lip”), that extends laterally from a side of the boot, configured to receive a rail, and further configured for travel longitudinally along the rail (e.g., allow for “grinding”). In one embodiment, an extended portion on either side of the boot is disclosed. A system that employs the boot with a ski is also disclosed, as is a method of using the ski boot.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/722,768 filed on Sep. 30, 2005, and entitled “Ski/Boot System ForGrinding,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to alpine skiing and more particularlyto a ski boot to aid a skier with various newschool skiing tricks, suchas “grinding”, a system and method of use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

With the recent advent and popularity of newschool terrain parks at skimountains, there has been an explosion in the sport. Whethersnowboarders or skiers, this genre of snow sport is extremely popular,especially with youth.

Many types of terrain are used to do the various tricks for the skierand snowboarder alike. Terrain and the types of tricks are constantlychanging, and often becoming more extreme. Often terrain and/or tricksare brought into the newschool realm from other extreme sports includingskateboarding. Amongst others in newschool skiing, terrains use variousrail systems (e.g., bar, rail, funbox, etc.) for “grinding”. Grinding isa term to include the activity of sliding along and/or over a rigidmaterial, be it manmade or natural.

The tricks and/or terrain for newschool skiing are changing and growingat a rate that far outpaces the equipment. With the exception of “park”type skis designed more specifically for skiing within terrain parks(e.g., “jibbing”), the ski, boot, and/or binding used for alpine skiinghave not markedly changed to keep up with the world of newschool skiing.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists to overcome one or more of thedeficiencies in the related art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A solution for newschool skiing so as to more readily be able to “grind”is provided. A ski boot may include an outer shell that has an upperportion and a lower portion; a liner, configured to fit within the outershell; a closure system, that is attached to either, or both of, theupper portion and the lower portion, configured to suitably close theski boot around a foot; and at least one extended portion (e.g., “lip”),that extends laterally from a side of the boot, configured to receive arail, and further configured for travel longitudinally along the rail(e.g., allow for “grinding”). In one embodiment, an extended portion oneither side of the boot is disclosed. A system that employs the bootwith a ski is also disclosed, as is a method of using the ski boot.

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a ski bootcomprising: an outer shell having an upper portion and a lower portion;a liner, configured to fit within the outer shell; a closure system,attached to at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion,configured to suitably close the ski boot around a foot; and at leastone extended portion, that extends laterally from a side of the boot,configured to receive a rail, and further configured for travellongitudinally along the rail.

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a system forskiing comprising: a boot including: an outer shell having an upperportion and a lower portion; a liner, configured to fit within the outershell; a closure system, attached to at least one of the upper portionand the lower portion, configured to suitably close the ski boot arounda foot; and at least one extended portion, that extends laterally from aside of the boot, configured to receive a rail, and further configuredfor travel longitudinally along the rail; and a ski operatively attachedto the boot.

A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a method ofskiing, comprising: attaching a ski boot to a foot, wherein the ski bootincludes: an outer shell having an upper portion and a lower portion; aliner, configured to fit within the outer shell; a closure system,attached to at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion,configured to suitably close the ski boot around the foot; and at leastone extended portion, that extends laterally from a side of the skiboot, configured to receive a rail, and further configured for travellongitudinally along the rail; operatively attaching a ski to the skiboot; and traveling so that the at least one extended portion receivesthe rail.

The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solvethe problems herein described and other problems not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a ski boot in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side elevation of the ski boot of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a front sectional view along sectional line 3—3 of theski boot in FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention

FIG. 4A depicts a side elevation of a ski boot system accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B depicts a bottom view of the ski boot system of FIG. 4A inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A - 5D depicts side views of a ski of the ski boot system inaccordance with a embodiments of the present invention

FIG. 6A depicts a perspective view of a skier using the ski boot portionof the ski boot system of FIG. 4A in a grinding move in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B depicts a perspective view of a skier using the ski portion ofthe ski boot system of FIG. 4A in a grinding move in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended toportray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intendedto depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and thereforeshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In thedrawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a solution for newschool skiers so as to morereadily be able to do various tricks, such as “grinding”. The inventionincludes a boot, a ski system that employs a boot with a ski (whereinthe ski may be integrated with boot or removably attachable to theboot), and a method of using the boot.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a skiboot in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A skiboot 10 for grinding includes various parts including an outer shellhaving an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14. Within the upperportion 12 and/or the lower portion 14 is a liner 20, configured to fitwithin the outer shell. As is known, the liner 20 typically is made of asofter, compliant material (e.g., foam, cloth, padding, etc.) designedto conform to a skier's foot 99 (FIG. 3). Contrastingly, the upperportion 12 and lower portion 14 of the outer shell are made of a singlehard material and/or a combination of materials that merely includeshard material (e.g., plastic) along with, optionally, soft material(s)(not shown).

The ski boot 10 further includes a closure system 16 that is configuredto suitably close the ski boot 10 around the foot 99 (FIG. 3) of theskier. The closure system 16 may include at least one buckle-typeenclosure device, and/or the like. The closure system 16 is attached toeither the upper portion 12 or the lower portion 14, or both. As shownin FIG. 1, the closure system 16 has a first closure system 16A attachedto the upper portion 12 and a second closure system 16B attached thelower portion 14. It is contemplated under aspects of the invention,that the closure system 16 and various aspects of the shell (e.g., upperportion 12, lower portion 14) comprise, what is known, as a front-entry,rear-entry, and/or mid-entry ski boot 10.

In any event, regardless of the configuration of parts and/or types ofmaterial(s) of the ski boot 10, the ski boot 10 further comprises atleast one extended portion 30 that extends laterally from a side 15 ofthe boot 10, configured to receive a rail 98 (See e.g., FIGS. 2, 3), andfurther configured for travel longitudinally along the rail 98. Forexample, the extended portion 30 may engage with the rail 98. Theconfiguration ultimately allows a skier, using the boot 10, to readilybe able to “grind”. The at least one extended portion 30 may be on one,or both, sides 15 of the boot 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the boot 10includes a first extended portion 30A along an outer side 15 of the boot10 and a second extended portion 30B along an inner side 15 of the boot10. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one extended portion 30may extend from one, or both, sides of a binding system 52 (FIG. 4A);and/or, the at least one extended portion 30 may extend from acombination of both a side 15 of the boot 10 and the binding system 52.

The boot 10 may optionally include a ski binding receiving system 18,fore and aft on the boot 10 which allows the boot 10 to be removablyattached to numerous binding systems 52 (FIG. 4A) now known, or laterdeveloped. An embodiment of the invention includes a boot 10 that isintegrated with a ski so that a ski binding receiving system 18 and/orbinding system 52 is not necessary. Further, it is contemplated that theski binding receiving system 18 and/or binding system 52 may be anysystems suitable for Nordic, Alpine, Randonee′, Telemark, and/or othertypes of skiing.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, which depict a side elevation and frontsectional view along sectional line 3-3 of the ski boot 3 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the extendedportion 30 is receiving a rail 98. The rail 98 may be any object,manmade or natural, that is suitable for “grinding”, though typically itis a object made out of hard material (e.g., metal, wood, composite,etc.) that is solid, semi-solid, or hollow. As shown, the extendedportion 30 may be attached to the lower portion 14 of the ski boot 10.In some embodiments, the extended portion 30 may be monolithic with theouter shell. Further, the extended portion may form a lip and may have alower surface 32. The extended portion 30 and/or the lower surface 32and the lower portion 14 of the boot 10 may define a recess 34 thatsuitably receives the rail 98 during “grinding” and/or other skiingtechniques.

Sizes and material type(s) of the extended portion 30 may vary. Forexample, the distance that the extended portion 30 extends beyond theside 15 of the boot 10 may be in the range of approximately 1/2 inch toapproximately 3 inches. Similarly, the extended portion 30 need not beof uniform distance. For example, the extended portion 30 may extendfrom the boot 10 a greater distance towards the rear of the boot 10 thanthe front. Further, while it may be advantageous that the extendedportion 30 be of sturdy construction, it need not be of the samematerial as the outer shell. Similarly, the extended portion 30 may bemonolithic with the lower portion 14 and/or upper portion 12 of the boot10. The extended portion 30 may extend longitudinally along the lengthof the boot 10 for different distances, depending on the embodiment. Forexample, the extended portion 30 may extend longitudinally along alength of the boot 10 at least in a range of approximately 3 inches tosubstantially a length of the lower portion 14. In any event, the shape,configuration, and construct of the single, or dual extended portion 30is such that a skier 100 (FIGS. 5A, 5B) can perform techniques, such as“grinding.”

Turning to FIG. 4A and 4B, which depict a side elevation and bottomview, respectively, of a ski boot system 40 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The system 40 may include a boot 10such as that described herein and a ski 50 operatively attached to theboot 10. As discussed the ski 50 may be integrated with the boot 10 orremovably attachable to the boot 10 with a variety of binding systems 52on the ski 50 acting in consort with a suitable ski binding receivingsystem 18 on the boot 10. The ski 50 may be of any suitable length forskiing and/or doing various techniques. For example, the length of theski 50 may be in a range of approximately 12 inches to approximately 250cm. In any event, the ski 50 may further include a recess 54 locatedalong a lower surface 56 of the ski 50. This recess 54, similarfunctionally to the extended portion 30 on the boot 10 discussed herein,allows an additional feature of “grinding” for the skier 100.Specifically, the recess 54, which may be located, for example,underneath the boot 10, is configured so as to also receive a rail 98and to allow travel by the skier 100, in this case, transversely alongthe rail 98 (FIG. 6B). Similarly, the recess 54 need not be curved inits shape. Other suitable shapes, depths, and/or the like may beemployed while still suitably receiving the rail 98. The recess 54 mayhave a cross-section shape being one selected from a group consistingof: channel-shaped, curved, angled, and box-shaped. Further, the recess54 may be symmetrical in cross-section, asymmetrical in cross-section,and/or the like. The shape and depth of the recess 54, while suitablefor “grinding” (FIG. 6B), may be such so as to also allow for“traditional” skiing position with the ski 50 (i.e., ski traveling withlongitudinal length of ski 50 going down the fall line). FIGS. 5Athrough 5D show various suitable recesses 54 on a ski 50 of the system40.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of this inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible.

1. A ski boot comprising: an outer shell having an upper portion and alower portion; a liner, configured to fit within the outer shell; aclosure system, attached to at least one of the upper portion and thelower portion, configured to suitably close the ski boot around a foot;and at least one extended portion, that extends laterally from a side ofthe boot, configured to receive a rail, and further configured fortravel longitudinally along the rail.
 2. The boot of claim 1, furthercomprising a ski binding receiving system.
 3. The boot of claim 1,wherein the at least one extended portion comprises two rigid lips, eachextending laterally from opposites sides of the boot.
 4. The boot ofclaim 1, the at least one extended portion is attached to the lowerportion.
 5. The boot of claim 1, wherein the side of the boot is part ofthe lower portion.
 6. The boot of claim 1, wherein at least one of thelower portion and the at least one extended portion define a recess. 7.The boot of claim 1, wherein the at least one extended portion extendslaterally from the side of the boot at least in a range of approximately1/2 inch to approximately 3 inches.
 8. The boot of claim 1, wherein theat least one extended portion extends longitudinally along a length ofthe boot at least in a range of approximately 3 inches to substantiallya length of the lower portion.
 9. The boot of claim 1, wherein the atleast one extended portion is monolithic with the outer shell.
 10. Asystem for skiing comprising: a boot including: an outer shell having anupper portion and a lower portion; a liner, configured to fit within theouter shell; a closure system, attached to at least one of the upperportion and the lower portion, configured to suitably close the ski bootaround a foot; and at least one extended portion, that extends laterallyfrom a side of the boot, configured to receive a rail, and furtherconfigured for travel longitudinally along the rail; and a skioperatively attached to the boot.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinthe ski is removably attachable to the boot.
 12. The system of claim 10,wherein the ski further comprises a bottom surface having a recesstherein configured to receive a rail and further configured for traveltransversely along the rail.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein therecess is located substantially underneath the boot.
 14. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the recess has a cross-section shape being oneselected from a group consisting of: channel-shaped, curved, angled, andbox-shaped.
 15. The system of claim 10, the ski further comprising: abinding system; and the boot further comprising: a ski binding receivingsystem for removable attachment to the binding system.
 16. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the ski is a length in a range of approximately 12inches to approximately 250 cm.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein theat least one extended portion extends laterally from the side of theboot at least in a range of approximately 1/2 inch to approximately 3inches.
 18. A method of skiing, comprising: attaching a ski boot to afoot, wherein the ski boot includes: an outer shell having an upperportion and a lower portion; a liner, configured to fit within the outershell; a closure system, attached to at least one of the upper portionand the lower portion, configured to suitably close the ski boot aroundthe foot; and at least one extended portion, that extends laterally froma side of the ski boot, configured to receive a rail, and furtherconfigured for travel longitudinally along the rail; operativelyattaching a ski to the ski boot; and traveling so that the at least oneextended portion receives the rail.